Asanawa

This rope is very similar to Japanese jute (asanawa) costing many times as much! How can I do it at the price? Well, I had it specifically manufactured within the EU, so minimising costly shipping and taxes, to copy my favourite rope. It is top quality 3-ply twisted, 100% natural jute rope, supplied as 8m ropes finishd with an overhand knot.

The fibre is very pale and clean with minimal impurities. It's so soft that it can be used as is, just like the best Japanese rope. If you are really fussy, just singe off the fuzzies, which are minimal, and treat it with oil or wax, e.g. NaWaX. However, it will break in and mature beautifully with just a bit of use. Apart from Tossa Lite, Asanawa is my lightest, most flexible and least dense rope.

Why jute? It simply flies in your hands. Once you have used this jute, you won't go back to hemp, which feels leaden and lifeless by comparison. It is strong, light and holds knots very well. It has little stretch, unlike cotton and most synthetics. The softness of this loose laid rope ensures neat, unobtrusive knots and sharp, clean rope work. What's more, it is less likely to cause rope burn as natural fibre does not heat up so quickly when drawn across skin. Japan's top nawashi almost exclusively chose jute and I'd trust their judgment.